Police World Edition 1 2015

Article

Fifty members of Kent branch enjoyed a perfect sightseeing day, visiting The Shard, London. The action didn’t stop there as they also made time for ‘A Medway Mosaic’ trip - a Blue Badge guided tour of the Hoo Peninsular. Mick Abbott, Kent branch’s Social Secretary reports. O ur day started well as were also able to get a glimpse of the early display of the Remembrance Day site, with marshes stretching north to the Thames estuary, is dramatically desolate and bleak in winter. Here, you can find what have become known as ‘Pip’s

Kent Branch Trip into London on The River Charles Dickens used the churchyard of St James as his inspiration in the opening chapter of Great Expectations, where the hero, Pip, meets Magwitch the convict. The poppies as we passed the Tower of London. Thanks to our driver, Bruce, for agreeing to take us that way. The weather was bright and sunny so the views from the top of the Shard and across London and beyond were as good as we could have wished for . For lunch we went to The Sir John Falstaff pub, between Gravesend and Rochester. The pub is a stone’s throw from Charles Dickens’ house, Gads Hill Place, which is now a school. Our guide, Dawn, met us at the pub and we set off for a tour of The Hoo Peninsula, on the Isle of Grain. The Hoo Peninsula separates the estuaries of the rivers Thames and Medway. Dawn pointed out many places and items of interest in the region including St James Church in Cooling - which although de-consecrated, is recognised as a ‘museum’ church.

Graves’ - the forlorn gravestones of 13 babies that Dickens describes in the chapter as “ little stone lozenges each about a foot and a half long, which were arranged in a neat row beside their parents’ graves. ” Our last visit on this fascinating trip was to Rochester Cathedral and High Street. Dawn gave us a guided tour of the Cathedral, England's second oldest, having been founded in 604AD by Bishop Justus.

Enjoying views from the Shard building

Editor’s note: Mick is quite happy for members to contact him if they want more information on this trip and the guide service used. Contact: michael.abbott4@btinternet.com

The glorious Norman architecture of the nave, parts of the crypt, as well as one of the finest Romanesque façades in England, make this an inspirational place to visit. After a very successful and enjoyable day members then took a well-earned ‘cuppa’ in one of the quaint high street cafes, before returning to Maidstone. Mick Abbott

Thames

magnificent attraction last year on a social event that concentrated on the Greenwich area. Back aboard Pocahontas, the captain resumed his narration. We went under Tower Bridge, which was an amazing sight at water level. We passed under London Bridge and enjoyed views of The Globe Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Millennium Wheel, the Houses of Parliament and Battersea Power Station. The length of the trip is dependent on the tide. On the day, we were lucky and timed it perfectly - making it all the way to Chelsea.

Kent Branch’s social activities continued aboard the MV Princess Pocahontas. Members took a boat trip on the Thames from Gravesend to Chelsea and back. The Pocahontas, as she is known locally, is operated by The Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company. On the outward journey, the captain delivered a continuous commentary on all the sights and sites. We reached Greenwich and some of our passengers opted for the two and a half hour stop off to sample the local market, restaurants and pubs there. Others took the chance to visit the Cutty Sark. The branch visited this

Onboard the Princess Pocahontas

It was a day with a difference, seeing parts of our lovely county, and our wonderful capital city, from the River Thames. Mick Abbott

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POLICE WORLD Vol 60 No. 1, 2015